If you are a business owner or entrepreneur, your professional photo is an important piece of your overall Brand. Online bios, speaking engagements, website profiles, annual reports, they all make use of the executive portrait.
You have two basic options for your portrait Studio or On-location.
Studio photography offers a lot of control but with far fewer options visually. These tend to be very traditional in nature with basic lighting at the photographer’s studio and a basic background.
Conversely, on-location has an unlimited number of possibilities but you are restricted by the time of day, the proximity to viable locations, the weather, and myriad other factors.
4 things to consider on how to choose the location for your executive portrait. To determine which is the best fit for you there are a few questions that need to be answered:
- What kind of business are you in? This is a critical question because what works for a children’s book author will probably not work for the president of an accounting firm. If your business is more serious in nature you will want to steer away from locations that are too playful.
- Does your industry have a standard portrait type? Because perception plays such a large role in getting new business, you want to be careful not to give off the impression that you are not aware of the industry norms.
- Is your business in an industry where an on-location shoot will make sense? If you run a manufacturing company then the location should be either at your site (If a viable option) or someplace comparable. Where it shouldn’t be is in a garden surrounded by flowers.
And lastly,
- What message are you trying to convey with your portrait? We had a client who was a relationship coach but her previous portrait was very serious. It made her seem cold and unapproachable. Not what you want for a coach. So we reshot her in a different surrounding with soft colors, warm lighting, and a bright smile and it made all the difference.
Many things contribute to the visual brand of your company. Choose wisely. A good photographer will help you make the right decision for your brand and will work with you to create the perfect visual identity.
We Can Help
3D Studios helps businesses grow their influence and their brands. As a boutique brand management agency, we begin with a thorough analysis of your needs and partner with you to develop and execute a marketing plan that will help you take your business to the next level. To learn more about how 3D Studios can help you, visit us at www.3Dstudios.net or call 914-304-4229.
